MLB Player News
-
Nick Gonzales 2B | PIT
Pirates' Nick Gonzales: Getting work at hot corner
Gonzales was spotted fielding grounders at third base Thursday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Gonzales was Pittsburgh's primary second baseman when healthy in 2025, though the addition of Brandon Lowe will force him into a new role in 2026. The assumption was that Gonzales would fill in at shortstop until Konnor Griffin makes his big-league debut, though Jared Triolo was instead at shortstop Thursday. This alignment could be fluid throughout spring, as the Pirates have also been rumored to be trying to add a third baseman via trade. However, this could be positive news for Gonzales' long-term outlook if he proves capable of handling the hot corner defensively, given the lack of long-term solutions currently on the roster.
-
Luis Garcia 2B | WAS
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Getting long look at first base
Garcia will split his time between second base and first base during spring training, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
The Nationals don't have a clear starter at first base, and Garcia's defense at the keystone has been below average the last two seasons. However, the 25-year-old has been a passable offensive contributor during that time, posting a combined .267/.304/.428 slash line in 2023-24 with 34 homers and 36 steals in 279 games, and he should be in the starting lineup at one of those two positions on Opening Day. Andres Chaparro and prospect Abimelec Ortiz, acquired from Texas in the MacKenzie Gore trade, would appear to be the other main competitors for Washington's first base job.
-
Ronny Mauricio 2B | NYM
Mets' Ronny Mauricio: Might be Opening Day shortstop
Mauricio will be one of the top candidates to replace Francisco Lindor (hand) at shortstop early in the season, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Vidal Brujan appears to be the other likely replacement for Lindor, with Grae Kessinger and Jackson Cluff also in the mix. Mauricio missed the entire 2024 season due to a torn ACL and struggled to make consistent contact last year in the majors after his return, managing a .662 OPS in 184 plate appearances with the Mets while mainly playing third base. With the injury another year further behind him, the 24-year-old may be staring at his last chance to regain the upside that made him one of the organization's top prospects prior to blowing out his knee. Mauricio should at least be locked into a bench spot on the Opening Day roster, even if doesn't become the primary replacement for Lindor.
-
Vidal Brujan 2B | NYM
Mets' Vidal Brujan: Could get early look at shortstop
Brujan is one of the top candidates to fill in for Francisco Lindor (hand) at shortstop, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Ronny Mauricio, Grae Kessinger and Jackson Cluff will also be in the mix for spring reps at short while Lindor recovers from hamate bone surgery. Brujan has experience all over the diamond as a utility player and posted a UZR/150 of 4.6 over 237 innings at shortstop with the Marlins in 2024, and the switch hitter might be the Mets' best defensive option to cover for Lindor.
-
Davis Schneider 2B | TOR
Blue Jays' Davis Schneider: Ticketed for short-side platoon
Schneider will handle the short side of a platoon with Nathan Lukes in left field to begin the season, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
With Anthony Santander (shoulder) potentially set to miss the entire season, the Blue Jays will turn to their collection of role players to fill the gap in the lineup. Schneider hasn't shown a platoon split in the majors and actually hit better against right-handed pitching in 2025, posting a .915 OPS against same-handed hurlers in 99 plate appearances versus a .708 OPS in 129 PAs versus lefties. It's possible that if the 27-year-old doesn't improve those numbers, he could lose playing time to the defensively superior Myles Straw.
-
Zack Gelof 2B | ATH
Athletics' Zack Gelof: Feels healthy for spring
Gelof (shoulder) said Wednesday that he's "feeling healthy, feeling ready to go" and expects to be a full participant when he reports to spring training later this week, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.
After posting 14 home runs and 14 steals in just 69 games as a rookie in 2023, Gelof looked to be a central figure in the Athletics' rebuilding effort, but injuries and an ability to make consistent contact against big-league pitching have left his future murky. He didn't make his 2025 big-league debut until early July while recovering from a fractured bone in his right wrist and a stress reaction in his ribs, then slashed just .174/.230/.272 with a 45.5 percent strikeout rate over 101 plate appearances between two stints with the Athletics before he was shut down in late September due to a dislocated left shoulder. He appears to be healthy again following surgery on the shoulder, but Gelof may need a strong showing at the plate during Cactus League play to make a compelling case for a spot on the Athletics' Opening Day roster.
-
Ozzie Albies 2B | ATL
Braves' Ozzie Albies: Back to 100 percent
Albies (hand) said Wednesday that he's 100 percent healthy for the start of spring training, Reggie Chatman of 11 Alive News Atlanta reports.
Albies missed the final week of 2025 after suffering a hamate bone fracture of his left hand, and the 29-year-old has likely been back to full health for a while. The switch-hitting second baseman said Wednesday that he has something to prove in 2026 after a disappointing season in which he posted a career-low .671 OPS over 157 games. Albies' ability to stay on the field and pile up plate appearances still made him useful from a fantasy perspective, as he delivered solid returns in the counting categories last year with 16 home runs, 14 stolen bases, 74 runs and 74 RBI.
-
Jorge Polanco 2B | NYM
Mets' Jorge Polanco: Likely to hit cleanup
Polanco is a strong candidate to bat cleanup for the Mets this season, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Francisco Lindor (hand), Juan Soto and Bo Bichette will occupy the first three spots in the Mets' batting order, so if Polanco does indeed hit cleanup he would be in line for loads of RBI opportunities. Polanco collected a .265/.326/.495 slash line with 26 home runs and 78 RBI over 138 regular-season contests for the Mariners in 2025. He is slated to split time between first base and designated hitter in 2026.
-
Jordan Westburg 2B | BAL
Orioles' Jordan Westburg: On mend from oblique strain
Westburg could miss the first few Grapefruit League games after suffering a strained right oblique in late January, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Oblique injuries have a tendency to linger, so the Orioles will proceed cautiously with the infielder so he doesn't suffer a setback. Westburg is projected to be the team's everyday third baseman this season, though he could fill in at second base while Jackson Holliday (hand) is sidelined to begin the campaign.
-
Brett Wisely 2B | TB
Braves' Brett Wisely: Shipped to Atlanta
The Rays traded Wisely to Atlanta on Tuesday in exchange for cash.
The 26-year-old infielder was DFA'd by Tampa Bay on Friday after the team acquired Victor Mesa in a trade with Miami. Wisely will now recapture a 40-man spot upon moving to Atlanta, but he is out of minor-league options and will have to break spring training with the big-league club to hold onto his roster spot. Joe Jimenez (knee) was placed on the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.